Do you hear that disembodied voice or is it just me?
Arthur, Francis, and the other avians flew silently, not in the mood to talk after the news of Alfred's little escape spread among them. "Well, at least there is no doubt that he's of Kirkland blood. The boy is as stubborn as a bull," said Reiley, wanting to break the silence. Alistair chuckled. "Aye. Remember that time we had to tie Arthur to a tree to keep him from going hunting with us? The little bugger thought he was big enough to carry a bow, much less carry a full grown rabbit with him back to our nest," he said.
Arthur's face turned bright pink. "Only you would find the memory of tying me to a tree as something sentimentally nostalgic," he said. Rhys smirked. "You're right. Remember that mint green bunny toy you made him Allistair? He insisted that the bunny have wings too," he said. Alistair grinned. "Aye. He said he wouldn't be able to play with the bunny if it couldn't fly too. I remember he gave it a ridiculous name," he said.
"Flying Mint Bunny. He called it Minty for short. Lad wasn't the most clever when he was so wee," said reiley. All three of the older Kirkland brothers was smiling sentimentally. Arthur was turning red, looking like he was contemplating letting himself drop like a stone to avoid the embarrassment. Francis was chuckling, as was Antonio. "Aw, que precioso. I didn't think the pirata would have been so cute as a niño," said Antonio.
Arthur was now bright red. "Sh-Shut up! That was centuries ago," he grumbled. "I remember that. He used to talk to that bunny all the time when he thought I couldnt' hear him," said Francis. Arthur spotted a speck headed toward them from below. "Oi, what's that over there?" he asked. "Don't try to change the subject. Did you really thing we're such ninnies that we'd fall for that?" asked Alistair.
Arthur scowled at his brother. "I'm not making it up. There's really something over there!" he said. "Right….because that's something someone who is trying to change the subject or distract us wouldn't say," said Reiley sarcastically. Arthur facepalmed. "It's also someone who is actually paying attention to his surroundings would say if he spotted a speck below us," he said, pointing at the speck.
No one bothered looking where he pointed. "Right Arthur. I would have thought that after all this time you would have learned to be a better liar," said Rhys. Arthur groaned. "There really is something there! Believe me!" he said. Antonio frowned. "Last time you said that you sunk one of my ships when I had my back turned," said Antonio. "Only you are stupid enough to fall for that trick Antoino. But I'm not lying this time!" he said.
"There really is something there! I'm not lying!" said Arthur, grumbling and turning away as he led them closer to the ground. "You're a ruddy bum liar. There's no one there," said Alistair. "I'm sure one of us would have noticed if there was a giant ufo coming at us!" said Reiley, turning and letting out a manly squeal when he found a certain Russian running close behind them, now that they were a mere few feet off the ground. "What you squealing about back there you twit?" asked Alistair, not even turning to see why his brother was making such masculine noises.
"That's not very nice to say to your brother. But I suppose it's different to have brothers instead of sisters," mused Ivan, making everyone drop a foot before they remembered how to flap their wings. "I-Ivan?" asked Francis, staring at the man with disbelief in his eyes. "I TOLD YOU I SAW SOMETHING!" exclaimed Arthur. "...I suppose that means I'll have to go back to believing him when he says to turn around and look at something…" trailed Antonio, looking a bit disappointed.
"A little birdie told me that you guys helped free my sisters and are going to go punish Alecai. I would like to come with and help bash that man's head in with a pipe," said Ivan with an innocent smile, a metal pipe in his hand. A few of them couldn't hold back a shudder. Arthur flew a step forward. "Yes. We actually would really appreciate your help in doing that. We don't know Alecai's tendencies and we have a very small window in terms of using the element of a surprise."
The Russian nodded. "So you want me to tell you everything I know about him da? In a short amount of time. I can do that as we fly to his house. There's a hidden clearing near there he wouldn't think of looking for anyone in. Just tell me what you need and I would be happy to assist you," said Ivan, smiling. Allistair nodded. "Good. We need all the help you could give us," he said.
"What would you like me to do first?" asked Ivan. "We need to know what kind of magic he's capable of, whether it is likely he has checked the basement for prisoners in the past hour, how he'll react to them being missing if has found out. We also need the locaction of a set of wings that were taken from a fledgling a few decades ago," said Arthur, landing in front of Ivan.
Ivan tilted his head, which still had a scar from being shot at. "A fledgling you say? I've only had to go after one set of fledglings before. A pair of twins," he said. Arthur balled his fists up. "Yes. My pair of fledglings," he said through clenched teeth. Francis quickly stepped forward. "But we're willing to look past that in order to work with you to end Alecai's reign of terror. Our priority is making sure he can't hurt anyone again, but we want the wings as well if possible," said Francis.
Ivan nodded. "And I am willing to look past Arthur shooting me in order to make sure Alecai can't go after my sisters and I ever again," he said. Arthur winced. "Sorry about that old chap. I thought you were going to hurt Alfred again. I couldn't risk that," he said. "I was going to but if Alecai is gone I will no longer have to do the hurting anymore. Why do you want the wings back?" he said.
Arthur frowned. "Listen, the fledling you hurt is the brother of the one that freed your sisters. He doesn't remember having wings before. We're trying to help him move on by showing him his wings in hopes that he can learn to let them go," said Arthur. "That's a bit harsh mon lapin. We have the ability to give him his wings back. Shouldn't we offer him the same opportunity we gave Matthew?" asked Francis.
"That bloody fool is the reason we have to do the spell for Matthew in the first place. He's the reason any of this happened. No. I won't offer him. Besides, he seems to be the type of person who if offered something that, even if it wasn't a for sure thing, he'd insure that the other sticks to their word. He's not above threatening people. He's not above hurting others. I don't want to risk it if we're unsucessful or unable to help him," said Arthur.
"I suppose you're right. I don't really want him intruding on our lives after we finally get rid of Alecai. Good thinking," said Francis. Ivan smiled. "I would be happy to help you in doing that. He keeps the wings in his living room. They will be the easy to obtain. What is your plan?" he said. Arthur nodded. "That would be brilliant if we could. Our plan now that you're here is to send you in as a spy of sorts. You can go in, see if Alecai has found out that the prisoners have escaped, and let us know if he does.
"If he found out, we need to know how bad his reaction is and have you keep him distracted while we sneak in in attempts to try to ambush him. If he hasn't find out that they have left, you are to give us a signal and keep him unsuspecting of the others being gone. While he has his guard down is when we storm the house and try to take him out. It is important that he doesn't know about our plan, us, or the fact that he lost his prisoners," said Arthur.
Ivan nodded. "I can do that. Do you know where my sisters are at now?" he asked. "Alfred, the man that you took during the fight against Gilbert and Mathias, is taking them to a nearby village for help. They'll be safe. It was the village your sister dropped him and his twins at after you stole his brother's wings. No one will hurt them there and they're currently trying to find help in the form of another shaman to take off a tailsman that Alecai put on Alfred," said Arthur.
Ivan nodded. "Alright, then lets go to the house. I want to take him down as soon as the possible. I'll lead you to the clearing. How should I signal you?" asked Ivan. Arthur frowned before glancing at his brothers. "Allistair, I need the red potion you created and the green one you gave reiley," he said. Both brothers nodded and handed him the two vials. Arthur mixed the two potions, muttering an incantation under his breath.
When he was done, he turned and gave Ivan the mixture. "Use this to signal us. It'll release a small spark that will seek us out inconspicuously. It'll only have one charge so use it wisely. When it's time for us to come, pull the plunge of the vial out. Is that clear?" he asked. Ivan took it and nodded, tucking it into the folds of his scarf. "That is the clear. Let us move now before it gets too late. We still have quite the walk if we want to get there soon," he said.
"..." Arthur looked at his companions and they all exchanged a releuctant look. Arthur turned back to Ivan. "I suppose we can carry you if you're alright with that," he said. Ivan smiled. "That would be alright right with me. Let's get going then," he said. Francis, Antonio, and Allistair stepped forward to carry him. Within a few minutes, all of them were back in the sky, though the trio carrying Ivan seemed a bit red-faced from the effort.
After ten minutes, Ivan had directed them to a clearing within spitting distance of the boundry of the forcefield surrounding the house. Francis, Antonio, and Alistair happily dumped him in the clearing. Ivan simply stretched once they landed. "I will make my way back to the house. You guys stay hidden until the signal. It will be only a few of the minutes," said Ivan before wandering out of the clearing.
"...You really think we can trust that bloke?" asked Reiley. "Not one bit," said Rhys. "The bloody hell is that lad eating, cement?" muttered Allistair as he rubbed his now sore wings and arms. "You're telling me amigo. My poor wings are so tired now. I could use a siesta," mumbled Antonio, sitting down against a tree. "Now I doubt his diet consists of cement. More than likely it was just small boulders," said Francis, sitting next to his Spanish friend. Alistair snorted.
Is coughing up blood bad? If so...we might need to call a doctor.
Sylvia paced back and forth in the ledge area, earning her an amused smirk from Gilbert. "Liebe, I'm sure they'll be fine. You keep pacing like that and you'll earn a lecture from Big Brows for wearing a moat into his floor," he said. Mathias chuckled at that. "You can't tell me you're not at least a little bit worried about this? Not only them but also about Matthew. He's getting worse pretty fast," she said. Tino had to take Matthew to the river to get washed after Matthew vomited on himself.
Gilbert frowned a little at that. "I know...And you're exhausting yourself by constantly giving him energy. If you're not careful you'll make yourself sick too," he said. Sylvia sighed. "I know Gil...but what else can I do? I can't fight or anything being flightless and all. I can't even fly to Alfred's village to make it easier for us to communicate. I don't like seeing Matthew so sick. It was the only thing I could actually do to help in this stupid situation," she said, frustrated.
Gilbert sighed and got up from where he was seated cross legged and wrapped his arms and wings around her. "Liebe, you worry too much. It'll turn out alright," he said. Sylvia lightly nuzzled him. "I hope you're right...you do tend to be a more optimistic than I am," she said. He grinned and held her closer. "That's because I'm too awesome to let anything get me down," he exclaimed. "You mean too cocky," she huffs.
Gilbert gasps, slightly offended. Mathais cracks up. "She's got you figured out," he chuckled. Gilbert glared at Mathias. "Well...You're unawesome," he said. Mathias gave a gasp of offense. Sylvia rolled her eyes and wiggled her way out of Gilbert's grasp when she spotted Tino helping Matthew climb back up to the ledge. Sylvia ran over to them and helped him bring her pink-faced brother up the incline.
"Thank you for helping clean up Tino. Gilbert and Mathias wouldn't let him hear the end of it," she whispered to Tino. Tino smiled brightly. "It's fine Sylvie. I help Norway patch our flock up when they get sick or all beat up. And I wouldn't unleash Mathias or Gilbert on someone in his state. Not when the situation is already bad enough," whispered Tino. Matthew groaned. "You two realized both of your heads are right by my ears right?" he said.
"Sorry," squeaked both Tino and Syl. Gilbert chuckled once they got onto the main gathering space. "Well he lives to see another day," he smirked. Matthew's ears turned red as well, wishing he could be invisible. Sylvia glared at Gilbert. "What did I say about teasing him?" she asked. Gilbert made a face and looked away. Mathias smirked. "Aw c'mon Gilbert. I want to hear what she said," he teased.
Gilbert scowled at his friend. "Nunya business," he said. "Well I did ask mon chou," Sylvia said sweetly as she helped Tino get Matthew settled back into his makeshift nest. Gilbert glanced at her before looking at his feet. "That if I make fun of your brothers, you won't cuddle with me for a week," he mumbled. Mathias started cracking up, laughing. Tino and Matthew chuckled as well, doing their best to hide it.
"Hush Matthias. It's not like you have anyone cuddling you," retorted Gilbert, face pink in embarrassment. Matthias blinked. "Low blow man. I could have someone cuddle me if I wanted to," he huffed. Tino laughed. Gilbert smirked and walked over to Matthew. "You feeling any bit better now?" he asked. Matthew nodded, pushing his wet bangs out of his eyes. "Oui… but I don't think I could hold anything down if I wanted to. My stomach is way too upset," he said quietly.
Sylvia sighed. "I'll go make you something lighter then. Maybe some broth or some of Arthur's special tea. You need to keep up your strength. Is the headache any better?" she asked. Matthew blinked. He hadn't even told her about that. "No….Could you get me something for that as well? I don't want to be a bother…" he said hesitantly. Sylvia rolled her eyes before gently ruffling her brother's hair. "I'll be back with the stuff you need."
He made a face at her as she left. Gilbert smirked. "Something wrong there kid?" he asked. "Nothing. Just that it looks like I got an annoying older sister on top of an annoying younger brother," he muttered. Gilbert chuckled. "She's only annoying when she's worried. You should see it when I get sick or something. She tends to become a bit of a mother hen. What's your brother like?" asked Gilbert.
"A lot more energetic and obnoxious. He's always getting us into trouble," said Matthew with a small quirk of the lips. Sylvia came back and set a bowl of soup in front of Matthew. "Is that so? I guess that exlains why he decided to make a jailbreak instead of sitting around and waiting for us," she said. Matthew rolled his eyes. "I'm surprised he waited so long to escape to be honest. He can't sit still longer than five minutes," said Matthew.
Sylvia sighed. "I just hope that he is alright…" she said. Matthew smiled a little. "...I think so. ...It's a lot easier to feel him now. He's sleeping right now. I think they finally got the pendant off of him," he said. Mathias grinned. "That's great! I'll tell Lucas and have him pass a message along to Arthur," he said, concentrating real quick. Gilbert grinned. "This is great. Alecai can't use him as leverage," said Gilbert.
Mathias nodded. "I'll make sure they know. That way he can't pretend to detonate the pendant or something," he said before concentrating again. Gilbert nodded. "Find out if Ivan is finally with them. If he is, this turns the field to our favor. We can bring this guy down," he said with a mischevious grin. Sylvia smirked, her wings fluttering a bit with excitement. Matthew frowned as he noticed a chunk in her wing where a section of feathers were missing.
Gilbert frowned slightly when he noticed where Matthew staring before wrapping an arm around Sylvia. Mathias grinned, opening his eyes. "Don't worry guys. I got ahold of Lucas. He's going to let Artie know. According to him, it sounds like Arthur has convinced Ivan to work with us," he said. Sylvia jumped up. "I'll go see if I can convince Pierre to bring a message to Alfred. Someone needs to tell him to stay put," she said, racing out of the room.
Gilbert let out a sigh and turned to Matthew. "You can't just openly stare like that. You're lucky she didn't notice," he said. Matthew blinked. "Oh, um, sorry…" he said, watching as Gilbert got up to go look for Sylvia. Mattie turned to Mathias. "...He does realize what happened back at your place right?" he asked. Mathias smirked. "Gilbert can be kind of a jerk, but he's got a soft spot for that girl," he said.
Tino smiled as well. "That and he doesn't really think before he opens his mouth," he said. Matthew nodded and slowly started eating his soup, Tino getting up and coming back with some bread. Sylvia came back and walked over to the boundry, releasing Piere before walking back to her seat. "What do you think we're going to do about Ivan's sisters? They didn't really do anything wrong…" she said.
Gilbert shrugged. "I'm sure they're going to want to go back to their brother's nest. They must have been a close bunch if Alecai was able to use the girls as a way to keep Ivan from leaving him. I doubt that after everything they went through they'd want to separate," he said. "...But what about the rumors of him hurting his sisters? What if they were true? If they were, I couldn't leave them to just go back and suffer under him in good conscience," she said.
Tino frowned. "She does have a point….But I'm sure if that's how it turns out, they might have an idea of what they would rather do. If not, I'm sure we could find a flock they could stay with until they figure out what they want to do. She does have a point," he said. Mathias nodded. "That and even if they wanted to stay with Ivan, it'd be a lot harder for that to happen. He was the head of their flock but now he doesn't even have wings to hunt with," he said.
Sorry I haven't posted for so long. I went on a road trip so I didn't have internet connection for a while. But I'm back now! Let me know what you guys think! I have a plot twist coming up and will be introducing some more characters.